Web link association method and system

ABSTRACT

A link association method and system. The method includes receiving by a computer processor from a user, a first link for a first Webpage and a second link for a second Webpage. The user determines that the first Webpage is related to the second Webpage. The computer processor receives a specification command indicating that the first Webpage is related to the second Webpage and in response the computer processor associates the first link with the second link. The computer processor stores the first link associated with the second link and generates a report indicating that the first link is related to the second link.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and associated system forassociating related Web links.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Managing related data comprises an inefficient process with littleflexibility. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome thedeficiencies and limitations described herein above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method comprising: receiving, by acomputer processor of a computing system from a user, a first link for afirst Webpage; receiving, by the computer processor, a second link for asecond Webpage, wherein the user determines that the first Webpage isrelated to the second Webpage; receiving, by the computer processor fromthe user, a specification command indicating that the first Webpage isrelated to the second Webpage; associating, by the computer processor inresponse to the receiving the specification command, the first link withthe second link; storing, by the computer processor, the first linkassociated with the second link; and generating, by the computerprocessor, a report indicating that the first link is related to thesecond link.

The present invention provides a computer program product, comprising acomputer readable storage medium having a computer readable program codeembodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising analgorithm that when executed by a computer processor of a computingsystem implements a method comprising: receiving, by the computerprocessor from a user, a first link for a first Webpage; receiving, bythe computer processor, a second link for a second Webpage, wherein theuser determines that the first Webpage is related to the second Webpage;receiving, by the computer processor from the user, a specificationcommand indicating that the first Webpage is related to the secondWebpage; associating, by the computer processor in response to thereceiving the specification command, the first link with the secondlink; storing, by the computer processor, the first link associated withthe second link; and generating, by the computer processor, a reportindicating that the first link is related to the second link.

The present invention provides a computing system comprising a computerprocessor coupled to a computer-readable memory unit, the memory unitcomprising instructions that when executed by the computer processorimplements a method comprising: receiving, by the computer processorfrom a user, a first link for a first Webpage; receiving, by thecomputer processor, a second link for a second Webpage, wherein the userdetermines that the first Webpage is related to the second Webpage;receiving, by the computer processor from the user, a specificationcommand indicating that the first Webpage is related to the secondWebpage; associating, by the computer processor in response to thereceiving the specification command, the first link with the secondlink; storing, by the computer processor, the first link associated withthe second link; and generating, by the computer processor, a reportindicating that the first link is related to the second link.

The present invention advantageously provides a simple method andassociated system capable of managing related data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for associating, storing, and automaticallyenabling related Web links, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate screen shots associated with implementation of aprocess for associating, storing, and automatically enabling related Weblinks enabled by the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an algorithm used by the system of FIG. 1 forimplementing a process for associating and storing related Web links, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an algorithm used by the system of FIG. 1 forimplementing a process for automatically enabling related Web linksstored using the process described with respect to the algorithm of FIG.3, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer apparatus used for associating, storing,and automatically enabling related Web links, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 5 for associating, storing, andautomatically enabling related Web links, in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention. System 5 enables a user to store two or moreinterrelated) interdependent Web links such that if the user opens afirst Web link, system 5 will automatically notify (or present to) theuser of all interrelated) interdependent Web links. For example, a userstores a first Web link (i.e., linking to a first Webpage comprising anaudio/video file for a first song A) in a music folder (e.g., afavorites Web browser folder). Additionally, the user associates (i.e.,with the first Web link) and stores a second Web link linking to asecond Webpage comprising a text file that includes lyrics to the firstsong A. Therefore, when the user opens the first Web link, the first Webpage and the first Web link are displayed (and enabled) in a firstportion of a video display. Additionally (in response to opening thefirst Web link), the second Web link and the second Webpage areautomatically displayed and enabled in a second portion of the videodisplay. Alternatively, if the user opens the second Web link, thesecond Web page and the second Web link are displayed (and enabled) in afirst portion of a video display. Additionally (in response to openingthe second Web link), the first Web link and the first Webpage areautomatically displayed and enabled in a second portion of the videodisplay. For example, if a student is accessing a first Webpage fore-learning, a selected Web page may be saved in a favorites folder andbe associated with additional related Web pages of associated with asame or similar topics. Therefore, if the user opens the first Webpage,he/she will have option to view any of the additional related Web pages.Additionally, the additional related Web pages may be shared in withsocial networking friends thereby improving a collaborate e-learningprocess.

System 5 of FIG. 1 comprises devices 8 a . . . 8 n connected through anetwork 7 to a computing system 10. Devices 8 a . . . 8 n may compriseany type of computing devices such as, inter alia, a computer, a PDA, alaptop computer, a tablet computer, a cellular telephone, etc. Network 7may comprise any type of network including, inter alia, a telephonenetwork, a local area network, (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), theInternet, a wireless network, etc. Computing system 10 may comprise anytype of computing system(s) including, inter alia, a computer (PC), aserver computer, a database computer, a controller, etc. Computingsystem 10 comprises a memory system 14. Memory system 14 may comprise asingle memory system. Alternatively, memory system 14 may comprise aplurality of memory systems. Memory system 14 comprises a softwareapplication 18 and a database 12.

Software application 18 enables the following implementation examplewith respect to for associating, storing, and automatically enablingrelated Web links:

1. A user opens a first Web page and determines that the first Web pagewill be saved.2. The user opens a second Web page and determines that the second Webpage is associated with the first Web page.3. The user determines that if the first Web page is opened then thesecond Web page should be automatically opened.4. The user may define that the first Web page and the second Web pageare related by associating the links via a graphical user interface(GUI). An associated Web link (i.e., for the second Web page) is storedwithin metadata of the primary Web link (i.e., for the first Web page).5. When the user opens the first Web page (via the primary Web link),the associated Web link for the second Web (and the second Web page) isautomatically displayed for the user.

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate screen shots associated with implementation of aprocess for associating, storing, and automatically enabling related Weblinks enabled by system 5 of FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention. The screen shots are based on an implementationexample associated storing and associating a link A (for a first Webpage) with a link B (for a second associated Web page).

FIG. 2A illustrates a screen shot 200 a of an associating process forlink A and link B. In screen shot 200 a, a user has saved link A andlink B in a favorite folder. The user associates link A with link B byenabling drop down menu 210 and selecting related link selection 210 a.Link A and link B are displayed in section 205 a of screen shot 200 aand associated link B is displayed in section 205 b of screen shot 200a. Once the related link (link B) is defined, the original link (link)will be tagged with the related link. The aforementioned informationwill be stored in a folder.

FIG. 2B illustrates a screen shot 200 b of the process for linking linkA and link B. In screen shot 200 b, link B metadata 212 is saved withlink A. If a user opens any related links, (e.g., a song or lyrics) thewindow illustrated in FIG. 2C will open.

FIG. 2C illustrates a screen shot 200 c comprising screen section 218and screen section 220. Screen section 218 displays a main Web pageassociated with link A. Screen section 220 displays all main relatedlinks 211 (i.e., with link A) which may include link B. Additionally,screen shot 200 c may optionally (in response to a share command from auser) allow the user to transmit any of related links 211 to a socialnetworking system and in response screen shot 200 c may display comments240 from social network users.

FIG. 2D illustrates a screen shot 200 d comprising screen section 218 aand 218 b and screen section 220. Screen section 218 a displays a mainWeb page associated with link A. Screen section 218 b displays a relatedWeb page associated with link 211 a. Screen section 220 displays allmain related links which may include related link 211.

FIG. 3 illustrates an algorithm used by system 5 of FIG. 1 forimplementing a process for associating and storing related Web links, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step 300, acomputer processor (i.e., of a computing system such as, inter alia,computing system 10 of FIG. 1) receives (from a user) a first link for afirst Webpage. In step 304, the computer processor receives a secondlink for a second Webpage. The user determines that the first Webpage isrelated to the second Webpage. In step 308, the computer processorreceives (from the user) a specification command indicating that thefirst Webpage is related to the second Webpage. In step 312, thecomputer processor associates the first link with the second link. Theprocess described in steps 300-312 may include the following steps:

A. Presenting (to the user) a graphical user interface (GUI) comprisingan input box for the first link and the second link.B. Placing the first link and the second link into the input box.C. Presenting (via the GUI) a related link command button such thatreceiving the specification command includes receiving a command forenabling the related link command button and the associating step is inresponse to enabling the related link command button.In step 314, the computer processor stores the first link associatedwith the second link. In step 318, the computer processor generates areport indicating that the first link is related to the second link. Instep 320, the computer processor may optionally (in response to a sharecommand from the user) transmit the first link associated with thesecond link to a social networking system and the social networkingsystem may transmit the first link associated with the second link to aplurality of users associated with the user. Additionally, the computerprocessor may receive (from one of the plurality of users) commentsassociated with the first link associated with the second link and thecomputer processor may present to the user the comments. The computerprocessor may additionally receive additional links for additional Webpages and associated and store the first link associated with theadditional links. Alternatively, the computer processor may receive fromthe user, a removal command indicating that the first Webpage is notrelated to the second Webpage and in response the computer processor maydisassociated the first link from the second link.

FIG. 4 illustrates an algorithm used by system 5 of FIG. 1 forimplementing a process for automatically enabling related Web linksstored using the process described with respect to the algorithm of FIG.3, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step 400,the computer processor (upon receiving a retrieval command from theuser) retrieves the first link. In step 404, the computer processorpresents the first link to the user. In step 408, the computer processorenables the first link. In step 412, the computer processorautomatically enables (in response enabling the first link in step 408)the second link. In step 414, the computer processor (i.e., in responseto enabling of steps 408 and 412) presents the first Webpage (associatedwith the first link) and the second Webpage (associated with the secondlink) to the user. The first Webpage may be presented on a first portionof a display device of the computing system and the second Webpage maybe presented on a second portion of the display device. Additionally,the computer processor may present (to the user on a third portion ofthe display device) a selection for the second link and a plurality ofadditional links to additional Webpages associated with the firstWebpage. The computer processor may sequentially toggle each of theadditional Webpages via the display device (i.e., display each of theadditional Webpages for a specified amount of time before displaying anext Webpage).

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer apparatus 90 (e.g., computing system 10 ofFIG. 1) used for associating, storing, and automatically enablingrelated Web links, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. The computer system 90 comprises a processor 91, an inputdevice 92 coupled to the processor 91, an output device 93 coupled tothe processor 91, and memory devices 94 and 95 each coupled to theprocessor 91. The input device 92 may be, inter alia, a keyboard, asoftware application, a mouse, etc. The output device 93 may be, interalia, a printer, a plotter, a computer screen, a magnetic tape, aremovable hard disk, a floppy disk, a software application, etc. Thememory devices 94 and 95 may be, inter alia, a hard disk, a floppy disk,a magnetic tape, an optical storage such as a compact disc (CD) or adigital video disc (DVD), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), aread-only memory (ROM), etc. The memory device 95 includes a computercode 97. The computer code 97 includes algorithms (e.g., the algorithmsof FIGS. 3 and 4) for associating, storing, and automatically enablingrelated Web links. The processor 91 executes the computer code 97. Thememory device 94 includes input data 96. The input data 96 includesinput required by the computer code 97. The output device 93 displaysoutput from the computer code 97. Either or both memory devices 94 and95 (or one or more additional memory devices not shown in FIG. 5) maycomprise the algorithms of FIGS. 3 and 4 and may be used as a computerusable medium (or a computer readable medium or a program storagedevice) having a computer readable program code embodied therein and/orhaving other data stored therein, wherein the computer readable programcode comprises the computer code 97. Generally, a computer programproduct (or, alternatively, an article of manufacture) of the computersystem 90 may comprise the computer usable medium (or said programstorage device).

Still yet, any of the components of the present invention could becreated, integrated, hosted, maintained, deployed, managed, serviced,etc. by a service provider who offers to associate, store, andautomatically enable related Web links. Thus the present inventiondiscloses a process for deploying, creating, integrating, hosting,maintaining, and/or integrating computing infrastructure, comprisingintegrating computer-readable code into the computer system 90, whereinthe code in combination with the computer system 90 is capable ofperforming a method for associating, storing, and automatically enablingrelated Web links. In another embodiment, the invention provides amethod that performs the process steps of the invention on asubscription, advertising, and/or fee basis. That is, a serviceprovider, such as a Solution Integrator, could offer to associate,store, and automatically enable related Web links. In this case, theservice provider can create, maintain, support, etc. a computerinfrastructure that performs the process steps of the invention for oneor more customers. In return, the service provider can receive paymentfrom the customer(s) under a subscription and/or fee agreement and/orthe service provider can receive payment from the sale of advertisingcontent to one or more third parties.

While FIG. 5 shows the computer system 90 as a particular configurationof hardware and software, any configuration of hardware and software, aswould be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, may be utilizedfor the purposes stated supra in conjunction with the particularcomputer system 90 of FIG. 5. For example, the memory devices 94 and 95may be portions of a single memory device rather than separate memorydevices.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinfor purposes of illustration, many modifications and changes will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claimsare intended to encompass all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of this invention.

1. A method comprising: receiving, by a computer processor of acomputing system from a user, a first link for a first Webpage;receiving, by said computer processor, a second link for a secondWebpage, wherein said user determines that said first Webpage is relatedto said second Webpage; receiving, by said computer processor from saiduser, a specification command indicating that said first Webpage isrelated to said second Webpage; associating, by said computer processorin response to said receiving said specification command, said firstlink with said second link; storing, by said computer processor, saidfirst link associated with said second link; and generating, by saidcomputer processor, a report indicating that said first link is relatedto said second link.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:retrieving, by said computer processor, said first link; presenting, bysaid computer processor to said user, said first link; first enabling,by said computer processor in response to a command from said user, saidfirst link; second enabling, by said computer processor in response saidfirst enabling, said second link; and presenting, by said computerprocessor to said user in response to said first enabling and saidsecond enabling; said first Webpage and said second Webpage.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein said presenting said first Webpage and saidsecond Webpage comprises: presenting said first Webpage on a firstportion of a display device of said computing system; and presentingsaid second Webpage on a second portion of said display device.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: presenting, by said computerprocessor to said user on a third portion of said display device, aselection for said second link and a plurality of additional links toadditional Webpages associated with said first Webpage; and sequentiallytoggling, by said computer processor via said display device, each ofsaid additional Webpages.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:presenting, by said computer processor to said user, a graphical userinterface (GUI) comprising an input box for said first link and saidsecond link; placing input box, by said computer processor, said firstlink and said second link; and presenting, by said computer processorvia said GUI, a related link command button, wherein said receiving saidspecification command comprises receiving a command for enabling saidrelated link command button, and wherein said associating is further inresponse to enabling said related link command button.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said associating said first link with said second linkcomprises associating said second link with metadata associated withsaid first link, and wherein said storing said first link associatedwith said second link comprises storing said second link with saidmetadata associated with said first link.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving, by said computer processor, additionallinks for additional Webpages, wherein said user determines that saidfirst Webpage is related to said additional Webpages; receiving, by saidcomputer processor from said user, additional commands indicating thatsaid first Webpage is related to said additional Webpages; associating,by said computer processor in response to said receiving said additionalcommands, said first link with said additional links; and storing, bysaid computer processor, said first link associated with said additionallinks.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving saidspecification command comprises receiving a command for saving saidfirst link associated with said second link in a favorites folder, andwherein said associating is further in response to said receiving saidcommand for said saving said first link associated with said second linkin said favorites folder.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said storingsaid first link associated with said second link comprises transmittingsaid first link associated with said second link to a remote server forstorage.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting, bysaid computer processor in response to a share command from said user,said first link associated with said second link to a social networkingsystem, wherein said social networking system transmits said first linkassociated with said second link to a plurality of users associated withsaid user.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving, bysaid computer processor from one of said plurality of users, commentsassociated with said first link associated with said second link; andpresenting, by said computer processor, said first link, said secondlink, and said comments.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said userdetermines that said first Webpage is no longer related to said secondWebpage, and wherein said method further comprises: receiving, by saidcomputer processor from said user, a removal command indicating thatsaid first Webpage is not related to said second Webpage; anddisassociating, by said computer processor in response to said receivingsaid removal command, said first link from said second link.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: providing at least one supportservice for at least one of creating, integrating, hosting, maintaining,and deploying computer-readable code in said computing system, whereinthe code in combination with the computing system is capable ofperforming: said receiving said first link, said receiving said secondlink, said receiving said specification command, said associating, saidstoring, and said generating.
 14. A computer program product, comprisinga computer readable storage medium having a computer readable programcode embodied therein, said computer readable program code comprising analgorithm that when executed by a computer processor of a computingsystem implements a method comprising: receiving, by said computerprocessor from a user, a first link for a first Webpage; receiving, bysaid computer processor, a second link for a second Webpage, whereinsaid user determines that said first Webpage is related to said secondWebpage; receiving, by said computer processor from said user, aspecification command indicating that said first Webpage is related tosaid second Webpage; associating, by said computer processor in responseto said receiving said specification command, said first link with saidsecond link; storing, by said computer processor, said first linkassociated with said second link; and generating, by said computerprocessor, a report indicating that said first link is related to saidsecond link.
 15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein saidmethod further comprises: retrieving, by said computer processor, saidfirst link; presenting, by said computer processor to said user, saidfirst link; first enabling, by said computer processor in response to acommand from said user, said first link; second enabling, by saidcomputer processor in response said first enabling, said second link;and presenting, by said computer processor to said user in response tosaid first enabling and said second enabling; said first Webpage andsaid second Webpage.
 16. The computer program product of claim 15,wherein said presenting said first Webpage and said second Webpagecomprises: presenting said first Webpage on a first portion of a displaydevice of said computing system; and presenting said second Webpage on asecond portion of said display device.
 17. The computer program productof claim 16, wherein said method further comprises: presenting, by saidcomputer processor to said user on a third portion of said displaydevice, a selection for said second link and a plurality of additionallinks to additional Webpages associated with said first Webpage; andsequentially toggling, by said computer processor via said displaydevice, each of said additional Webpages.
 18. The computer programproduct of claim 14, wherein said method further comprises: presenting,by said computer processor to said user, a graphical user interface(GUI) comprising an input box for said first link and said second link;placing input box, by said computer processor, said first link and saidsecond link; and presenting, by said computer processor via said GUI, arelated link command button, wherein said receiving said specificationcommand comprises receiving a command for enabling said related linkcommand button, and wherein said associating is further in response toenabling said related link command button.
 19. The computer programproduct of claim 14, wherein said associating said first link with saidsecond link comprises associating said second link with metadataassociated with said first link, and wherein said storing said firstlink associated with said second link comprises storing said second linkwith said metadata associated with said first link.
 20. A computingsystem comprising a computer processor coupled to a computer-readablememory unit, said memory unit comprising instructions that when executedby the computer processor implements a method comprising: receiving, bysaid computer processor from a user, a first link for a first Webpage;receiving, by said computer processor, a second link for a secondWebpage, wherein said user determines that said first Webpage is relatedto said second Webpage; receiving, by said computer processor from saiduser, a specification command indicating that said first Webpage isrelated to said second Webpage; associating, by said computer processorin response to said receiving said specification command, said firstlink with said second link; storing, by said computer processor, saidfirst link associated with said second link; and generating, by saidcomputer processor, a report indicating that said first link is relatedto said second link.